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Senate Resolution

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A resolution expressing gratitude and affection to all

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mothers.

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     WHEREAS, Anne Jarvis, a young Appalachian homemaker,

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organized women throughout the Civil War to work for better

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sanitation conditions, and in 1868 continued her efforts by

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designating "Mothers' Work Days" for improving sanitation, and

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     WHEREAS, Social Activist Julia Ward Howe, Boston poet,

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pacifist, suffragist, and author of the lyrics to the "Battle

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Hymn of the Republic," influenced by Anne Jarvis's sanitation

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initiative, conceived the idea during the Civil War of calling

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all women to unite against the war, organized a day encouraging

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mothers to rally for peace, and wrote a Mother's Day proclamation

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in 1870 calling for peace and disarmament, and

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     WHEREAS, Julia Ward Howe failed to get formal recognition of

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a Mother's Day for Peace, and after Anne Jarvis's passing on May

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9, 1905, her daughter Anna Jarvis took up the efforts to

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establish a day recognizing mothers, and

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     WHEREAS, as a result of Anna Jarvis's crusade, the first

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Mother's Day was celebrated in Grafton, West Virginia, on May 10,

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1908, to commemorate the anniversary of her mother's passing, and

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     WHEREAS, the Mother's Day custom eventually spread to 45

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other states, and President Woodrow Wilson declared the first

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national Mother's Day on May 14, 1914, and

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     WHEREAS, the highest ideals and noblest principles of

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humanity find their most exemplary expression in the sacrifice

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and devotion of mothers, and no sincere human being can deny the

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importance of a mother in the life of a child, and

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     WHEREAS, mothers exemplify enduring courage and conviction,

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are characterized by unconditional love for their children, and

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serve as the anchors that bond families, and

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     WHEREAS, a mother is a gift bestowed on man, never more dear

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than when bringing forth life in the form of a child, and

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     WHEREAS, it is proper that the members and staff of the

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Florida Senate recognize the great debt of gratitude owed to all

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mothers for their strength, guidance, understanding, and love,

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NOW, THEREFORE,

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Be It Resolved by the Senate of the State of Florida:

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     That the members of the Senate do hereby express to their

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own mothers and to all mothers, on behalf of the people of the

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State of Florida, personal affection and heartfelt gratitude.

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     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this resolution be spread upon

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the Journal of the Senate as a tangible token of the love and

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respect that the members hold for all mothers.